Canyon Explorers - Spring 2026 - Ages 8 to 12

Canyon Explorers - Ages 8 to 12
Earthwise Explorers

The Spring 2026 Semester’s theme, Earthwise Explorers, invites students to discover how people and nature are deeply connected, and how we can care for the land while learning from it. Through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, teamwork, and reflection, participants will build confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. Each class focuses on practical skills and big ideas that encourage kids to think like explorers, scientists, and stewards of the Earth.

Class 1 — Tuesday, February 17th or Wednesday, February 18th — Building Community
Explorers will kick off the semester by getting to know one another through games, challenges, and group activities. Students will master the fundamentals of teamwork and structural design by learning essential knots to construct sturdy bridges and shelters, discovering how we lean on one another to build a resilient community.

Class 2 — Tuesday, March 17th or Wednesday, March 18th — Backyard Bounty
What can we learn from the plants and resources right around us? Students will explore local ecosystems, learn to identify useful plants, and discuss how people have historically relied on their surroundings for food, tools, and medicine. Explorers will learn to tend to garden plants and practice patient, catch-and-release cane pole fishing to understand where our food begins.  

Class 3 — Tuesday, April 14th or Wednesday, April 15th — Lessons from Fire
This session focuses on the responsibility of fire stewardship, teaching students how to safely gather tinder, build efficient fire structures, and respect fire as a powerful form of energy. Explorers will learn how humans have used fire for warmth, cooking, and survival, while also discussing its environmental impacts and the importance of using energy thoughtfully and responsibly.

Class 4 — Tuesday, May 19th or Wednesday, May 20th — Earth to Table
In our final class, students will explore where food comes from and how natural systems support us from soil to plate. Explorers will use their hand-built fires to transform raw ingredients into a shared meal, while reflecting on the energy it takes to grow, harvest, and prepare food. This experience completes the circle from nature to nourishment and highlights how our everyday choices impact the Earth.

Parents are welcome to stay for the class, or sign-in your children and drop them off for the class. Students will need to pack a lunch for each class except for the final class where we will be cooking lunch as a class. 

Where: Little River Canyon Center in Fort Payne, AL
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Central Time)
Fee: $35 per child for the semester. Payment plans can be arranged if needed—please contact us for details.
What to Bring: Dress in layers for the weather. We plan to be outside as much as possible. Please pack a sack lunch, but leave electronics at home. 

***The Quantity must reflect the number of children you are registering.*** You must click "Submit Order" to complete registration. You will be emailed a confirmation. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please call the Canyon Center, 256-845-3548 or email Rebekah, fieldschool@jsu.edu.***